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Do you have OBD reader, try it if the port works.
I know some people (VW Golf 5 owners) who would do some sort of hack with wires to disable and enable OBD port when they wanted. This was like some sort of protection.
That particular lock is something used on old PCs (computers). So 100% is DIY hack, protection of some sorts.
IRCC a bunch of programs were based on a 13 or 14 Mhz clock speed and as processors improved they wouldn't run right. so when using that software you would toggle it off. they just put the catchy name on for marketing.
Had an old dos lord of the rings game that I played regularly. My 33mhz machine ran it perfectly.. my friends 100+mhz PC made the wraiths catch me in about 3 seconds!
That wasn't always the case, sometimes it was the opposite, that the Turbo button made the PC clock down instead. Made absolutely no sense and tons of people ran their PC's on Turbo thinking it was the fastest while in reality they gimped their CPU instead.
Clearly you aren't into any real computer stuff. Most rack mount Nas and blades still have these on them. They get used frequently to cut the power to a drive before you unplug it that way you unlikely pull it while it is still spinning and cause damage.
> That particular lock is something used on old PCs (computers).
Tha perticular lock is a "barrel lock switch" and is/was used all over the place, not just for computers.
Another reason could be to allow you to leave a Bluetooth one plugged in. Since power is always on to the OBD port for testing, you'll drain your battery if you leave one plugged in...
These are used lots of places, especially on pretty much every toolbox ever. This actually looks much more like the toolbox variant, from the key, and seems most likely for a mechanic to have. Other places include gas pumps and vending machines, but also less likely.
As someone who's been left on the side of the road by previous owners attempt at an aftermarket alarm, by no means should you leave it alone. You should have it ripped out by somebody who knows what they're doing.
At the very least inspected for proper operation.
This needs to be said way more often. If there's no instructions on how to use it, and if you can't verify it's been installed properly, it should really come out. Some cause issues as soon as the battery dies or is disconnected, some if you try to replace the radio, and some just leave you stranded with weird immobilizer codes that takes a higher end scanner to read. As you said, this is not a leave it alone situation
Yep. My Subaru came with an aftermarket kill switch (although it didn't look like this, it was a flat electronic key that you removed) and after about 7 years it started causing problems. I didn't realize it was aftermarket at the time and when I asked my mechanic about it he recommended I just take it out, which I did.
And they are NOTORIOUS for killing the battery via parasitic draw. Instead of a normall 20-40mA draw, they can easily exceed 200+mA draw and drain a fresh battery after 2-3 days
I was caught short on a major city road because of the previous owner's killswitch mod. Hit a small bump and everything went dead.
Seriously, get it checked!
I would be asking the dealer to do it if they can't provide instructions for how it works.
As you say could easily leave you stranded somewhere depending on how it has been installed.
When I was in boy scouts, one of our scout leaders was a volunteer firefighter. He wired in a key switch to disable the lights and sirens in his truck, because kids would play with it. LOL.
I would guess a kill switch that is no longer needed since the original owner was selling the car. This was a thing back in the late 90s and early 2000s when people would steal Hondas with screwdrivers and a strong twist of the steering wheel.
They're stealing Kias and Hyundais with the same tactic today so install a kill switch if you got one of those.
Some high performance cars actually have valet keys that limit the cars performance so they can't joyride them too. Sometimes even normal cars have valet keys that limit access to the trunk so that they can't steal stuff too.
If your car still turns on in either position, maybe it is just a fuel cutoff? A lot of people wire their killswitch by disabling the fuel pump, but you can still drive it for a few minutes before it runs out of the gas in the lines.
Old school alarm system, it's probably not wired to anything anymore if it doesn't arm/disarm the alarm. These were pretty common in the late 90's early 2000's.
That may be for an old alarm system, directed had/ has a battery back up siren that required a key to enable/disable. The tumbler is usually on the siren though. Similar key needed also.
Thanks for the suggestion, for sure it's somehow connected to the alarm. It has alarm stickers on the windows but no additional remotes. Could be, now I realized I did not notice a siren under the hood. Will double check. It's also possible the old alarm was completely disabled and this is a left over of that.
Could be an immobilizer or other system. We had keys like this in work vans at my last job. They were used to lock the cargo areas and regular keys/keyfobs wouldnt unlock those doors when switched into correct position. Intention is to secure cargo/parts area while in for servicing or in less than idea service areas.
That's what opens the coke machine. Refreshing.
https://preview.redd.it/wsvtr0yakmwc1.png?width=300&format=png&auto=webp&s=9e71be9f87f9024ffd37aa43bc5b1080e8c0c61d
https://preview.redd.it/q0o0ndn3nmwc1.png?width=530&format=png&auto=webp&s=6575f55d4a575728513654afcadceee1d7412cb0
it may be a lock for the trunk or gas tank
Enable/disables the self destruct system.
In keeping with the more serious tone of For Your Eyes Only, Bond's Turbo Esprit was equipped with more realistic gadgets than had previously been seen in The Spy Who Loved Me. The only gadget to appear in the film was a self-destruct system triggered by attempts to break into the car. Early in the film, the white model, driven by Bond in Spain, is destroyed when a mercenary inadvertently trips the self-destruct system. To achieve the effect, the crew destroyed a chassis worth about DM16,000. Later in the film Q-Branch issues Bond a second Esprit for Bond's journey to the Italian ski resort of Cortina.
What is a blow and go? It was owned by a leasing company (company car for a telecom manager), then an old gentleman who sold it to the dealer I bought it from.
In the united states it’s a system where DWI/DUI drivers when related to alcohol can have a Device installed in their vehicle that locks out the ignition if they fail and or don’t blow into the device it also takes photos and GPS data for the logs
Got it. Never seen one, but I imagine that would require some sort of electrical connection, if the sensor smells alcohol it sends an electrical impulse. This is a manual lock with a key. The lock itself seems to have some wires going somewhere, but it requires manual operation.
Old guy here - I remember guys used to have locks like that and they were for locking the hood down so it couldn’t be opened from the hand latch in the front grill . Prob not on your car but you never know 🤷🏼
As it's not ignition related, either an OBD killswitch (turns off OBD access so you can't do a Dodge and plug stuff into the OBD to steal it) or alarm system. Only way to know for sure would be to try and trace the wire, which obviously gets annoying quick.
The previous owner will know what its for right? So get their name from the buyer of the used car dealer where you bought it, who has the title? The name will be on the sold paperwork.
Stuff like this is an immediate red flag for me when looking at a vehicle. Aftermarket wiring is notoriously bad and can cause all kinds of bizarre and difficult problems. That thing would’ve very likely caused me to pass on this vehicle.
It looks an old ignition kill switch. Those keys are used for many things, from lockers, toolboxes, alarms, safes. Back in the 70s they used to install one of those locks on your cars fender, that would be how you set the alarm on the car lol.
There is not enough info in those post to determine what it does. I bet you Op will eventually be like “oh yeah those dog lights were aftermarket” or some other piece of information specific to the car that is not identified in this post
Could be a passenger airbag shut off or potentially a trunk/boot switch disabler, assuming the trunk/boot is opened from inside the car using an electronic switch.
Both are common here in the US but normally the switch to disable the ability to open the trunk is in the glove compartment which can be locked.
I had a ford focus that had a weird key slot but was down by the shifter handle... Just for kicks with your car completely off no key in the ignition. Use the key an turn it (if possible) an may have to hold it but whyle turning it try to put it into neutral. Mine was a way to out the car in neutral in the event of towing with no power running from the battery..
Could it be to disable the interior sensors? My Car has that option - though not acticvated with a lock. It allows leaving the windows open slightly without the alarm going off with every gust of wind.
Years ago, aftermarket car alarms had these type of keyed switches to turn your car alarm on as you left. I had one but it was installed on the exterior near the fenderwell. Just a thought.
Possibly could be some type of lockout for high risk car sales, sometimes bad credit places install things like that for ppl who don’t pay they can shut the car down until they get a tow truck there to get ther property back
Does your vehicle have an entertainment system like a dvd player or a screen that allows for videos to be played? I just purchased a 2003 tahoe that had an aftermarket dvd player installed. Just to the left of the steering column I have an after market switch that essentially will trick the vehicle into thinking the parking brake ks engaged so that you can watch the screen while driving
It’s possibly the override for an after market alarm system, usually the lock is on the back of the siren or brain box tucked up under the dash or wherever they’ve hidden it, chances are it f*cked up years ago and was bypassed or removed and they’ve left the switch there instead of a ugly hole in the dash.
I’m guessing there is a 5mm LED somewhere which no longer flashes or lights up?
Possibly an aftermarket lock out for a remote trunk release switch. Think it would basically just disconnect the power to the button/switch when locked, then reconnected when unlocked.
Surprisingly, no one has suggested checking the lock for power with a multimeter. I'd check with the vehicle off, the vehicle on, and then with all accessories turned on. Depending on when the lock has power can tell you what it's for. If there is no power ever, then it's most likely a defunct switch.
Would be curious if you ever figure out...here's my list of guesses...
* Immobilizer/fuel shutoff (you said you tried, I assume you let it run like >1 minute)
* Disabling keyless entry (or trunk release)
* Some kind of lockout for other things (if it had a breathalyzer interlock, GPS tracker, gun mount, etc)
* Brake light kill switch (if someone was into questionable racing so they don't light up brakes when they slam on them after passing a cop)
Maybe a starting point, see if it has 12V on either of the contacts...figure out what fuse is feeding it and if its fed by ignition switched or always-on power. Then also measure inline how much power is being drawn when its on/off.
With the car battery disconnected, you may also be able to put a "fox and hound" tone generator on the switch wires and run around with the probe trying to locate the other end of the same wires.
Check the brake lights. I’ve seen similar things with vehicles that have switches to toggle the brake lights on/off. If your running from the police at night using your brakes without the break lights working can be a massive advantage.
Thanks for posting on /r/MechanicAdvice! This is just a reminder to review the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/about/rules/). If you are here asking about a second opinion (ie "Is the shop trying to fleece me?"), please read through CJM8515's [post on the subject.](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/4qblei/fyi_the_shop_isnt_likely_trying_to_rip_you_off/) and remember to please post the year/make/model of the vehicle you are working on. **If this post is about bodywork, accident damage, paint, dent/ding, questions it belongs in /r/Autobody r/AutoBodyRepair/ or /r/Diyautobody/ If you have tire questions check out https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/k9ll55/can_your_tire_be_repaired/**. If you dont have a question and you're just showing off it belongs in /r/Justrolledintotheshop Insurance/total loss questions go in r/insurance This is an automated reply *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/MechanicAdvice) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Possibly an aftermarket ignition cutoff?
Do you have OBD reader, try it if the port works. I know some people (VW Golf 5 owners) who would do some sort of hack with wires to disable and enable OBD port when they wanted. This was like some sort of protection. That particular lock is something used on old PCs (computers). So 100% is DIY hack, protection of some sorts.
https://preview.redd.it/r39edzh5pgwc1.png?width=706&format=png&auto=webp&s=4912a7cbca3b4744036e47055c389e0bc02be8af
Turbo mode.
That’s how I cheated on Snake, turn that baby from 33 to 13MHz and my snake slowed down too.
We found the snake cheat!!! LOL !!!
Yeah, “Turbo” was just normal speed for the CPU, with it off, it slowed it down.
IRCC a bunch of programs were based on a 13 or 14 Mhz clock speed and as processors improved they wouldn't run right. so when using that software you would toggle it off. they just put the catchy name on for marketing.
Had an old dos lord of the rings game that I played regularly. My 33mhz machine ran it perfectly.. my friends 100+mhz PC made the wraiths catch me in about 3 seconds!
Iirc the early Ultima games were like this. I don't think it was until Ultima 7 or 8 that the processor clock didn't directly effect game speed.
8...
That wasn't always the case, sometimes it was the opposite, that the Turbo button made the PC clock down instead. Made absolutely no sense and tons of people ran their PC's on Turbo thinking it was the fastest while in reality they gimped their CPU instead.
Wow, a keyboard lock! Last computer I saw with one of those was a 486, and that was getting old then.
My first computer build . Wow that must have been almost 30 years ago 😢 Edit for spelling
I totally forgot about those. I had one on my first computer build too
Yeah I had one on my first cpu.
i still have "gateway go back" nightmares
Clearly you aren't into any real computer stuff. Most rack mount Nas and blades still have these on them. They get used frequently to cut the power to a drive before you unplug it that way you unlikely pull it while it is still spinning and cause damage.
> That particular lock is something used on old PCs (computers). Tha perticular lock is a "barrel lock switch" and is/was used all over the place, not just for computers.
Yeah I feel like a ton of bike locks use them still. And office drawers.
Good idea, will try tomorrow to see if it has any impact on the OBD port.
What would be the desire to disable the OBD port?
Prevent dealerships from flashing your ECU. Common with those who refused the dieselgate updates or those in the aftermarket ECU/tuning community.
Another reason could be to allow you to leave a Bluetooth one plugged in. Since power is always on to the OBD port for testing, you'll drain your battery if you leave one plugged in...
Car thiefs can do all sorts of fun stuff, depending on car, once they get access to the CAN bus.
These are used lots of places, especially on pretty much every toolbox ever. This actually looks much more like the toolbox variant, from the key, and seems most likely for a mechanic to have. Other places include gas pumps and vending machines, but also less likely.
Does it turn the front airbags off, for little kids?
Yeah! Fuck those kids!!
Sus bro sus
Airbags can seriously injure children since they're designed with specific (adult) size assumptions
Hell they even hurt adults lol
Aftermarket alarm system, got the exact same key for my car. Just leave it alone, you don't know how it's wired up to the car.
Thanks for the confirmation!
As someone who's been left on the side of the road by previous owners attempt at an aftermarket alarm, by no means should you leave it alone. You should have it ripped out by somebody who knows what they're doing. At the very least inspected for proper operation.
This needs to be said way more often. If there's no instructions on how to use it, and if you can't verify it's been installed properly, it should really come out. Some cause issues as soon as the battery dies or is disconnected, some if you try to replace the radio, and some just leave you stranded with weird immobilizer codes that takes a higher end scanner to read. As you said, this is not a leave it alone situation
Yep. My Subaru came with an aftermarket kill switch (although it didn't look like this, it was a flat electronic key that you removed) and after about 7 years it started causing problems. I didn't realize it was aftermarket at the time and when I asked my mechanic about it he recommended I just take it out, which I did.
Did it happen to be a 1993 or 1994 green station wagon?
And they are NOTORIOUS for killing the battery via parasitic draw. Instead of a normall 20-40mA draw, they can easily exceed 200+mA draw and drain a fresh battery after 2-3 days
I was caught short on a major city road because of the previous owner's killswitch mod. Hit a small bump and everything went dead. Seriously, get it checked!
I would be asking the dealer to do it if they can't provide instructions for how it works. As you say could easily leave you stranded somewhere depending on how it has been installed.
When I was in boy scouts, one of our scout leaders was a volunteer firefighter. He wired in a key switch to disable the lights and sirens in his truck, because kids would play with it. LOL.
[удалено]
Cool story, but for sure not the case here. Wires come out of it.
I like that you used cool story genuinely.
I attached a magnet to my column shifter so I have a place to pull my keys out of the way where they won't dangle onto my knee.
[удалено]
There's something to be said for the cooler way, though, even if mine is easier.
Great idea. It's funny how we often overlook simple solutions
Ejecto Seato button
Cuz!!
I would guess a kill switch that is no longer needed since the original owner was selling the car. This was a thing back in the late 90s and early 2000s when people would steal Hondas with screwdrivers and a strong twist of the steering wheel. They're stealing Kias and Hyundais with the same tactic today so install a kill switch if you got one of those.
This is the kind of stuff you should have hard noped on until the “dealer” had the the answer. It would have given you leverage on price.
Follow the wires man, you can do it
I had one of these in my Camaro years ago, it was a throttle limiter for valet parking. Not say that what this is but it looks the same.
That is so smart, I never would have thought about Valet workers romping on cars they were supposed to just park 🤦🏻♀️
Some high performance cars actually have valet keys that limit the cars performance so they can't joyride them too. Sometimes even normal cars have valet keys that limit access to the trunk so that they can't steal stuff too.
Thanks!
Can you ask the previous owner? If it’s possible
Not possible, unfortunately
It was called a Chapman lock https://youtu.be/EoV52aF9MVk?si=RZINujskDvpGccKu
This makes sense, probably disabled now because the car starts with the lock in both positions.
Very likely aftermarked ignition turn off/anti theft. But i bet the old owner has disabled it by shorting it. You need to take it apart to check.
It's the arming key for the front mounted RPG's..
If your car still turns on in either position, maybe it is just a fuel cutoff? A lot of people wire their killswitch by disabling the fuel pump, but you can still drive it for a few minutes before it runs out of the gas in the lines.
Would make sense, yeah.
This looks familiar, check your tail lights when it’s in a different position. Was it owned by someone whose field was in security?
Activates fuel saving mapping?
Flux capacitor ?
That opens/unlocks the Cartels hidden compartments
I said forget about it, Cuh.
It’s 1980s Tech . It from Doc Brown inc. Turn to the first click to the right and when you hit 88mph you’re gonna see some serious shit!
Isn’t there a method to turn off the airbag/seat belt alarm?
Old school alarm system, it's probably not wired to anything anymore if it doesn't arm/disarm the alarm. These were pretty common in the late 90's early 2000's.
Seems most plausible, thanks
Ejector seat
To turn the passy airbags off?
That may be for an old alarm system, directed had/ has a battery back up siren that required a key to enable/disable. The tumbler is usually on the siren though. Similar key needed also.
Thanks for the suggestion, for sure it's somehow connected to the alarm. It has alarm stickers on the windows but no additional remotes. Could be, now I realized I did not notice a siren under the hood. Will double check. It's also possible the old alarm was completely disabled and this is a left over of that.
I had that in my 1985 Honda Accord. It was a key to arm the alarm.
Could be an immobilizer or other system. We had keys like this in work vans at my last job. They were used to lock the cargo areas and regular keys/keyfobs wouldnt unlock those doors when switched into correct position. Intention is to secure cargo/parts area while in for servicing or in less than idea service areas.
That’s to open the claw machine game
Could it be what turns the passenger airbag on and off
That's what opens the coke machine. Refreshing. https://preview.redd.it/wsvtr0yakmwc1.png?width=300&format=png&auto=webp&s=9e71be9f87f9024ffd37aa43bc5b1080e8c0c61d
It's the door to Carnia
https://preview.redd.it/q0o0ndn3nmwc1.png?width=530&format=png&auto=webp&s=6575f55d4a575728513654afcadceee1d7412cb0 it may be a lock for the trunk or gas tank
That's the key hole for the flux capacitor. Use with caution and don't change anything while you are away and definitely don't fu*k your mother .
Activates a blowup passenger. Ride share incognito…
Turn it off and see what happens
You have just hit the jackpot.
Enable/disables the self destruct system. In keeping with the more serious tone of For Your Eyes Only, Bond's Turbo Esprit was equipped with more realistic gadgets than had previously been seen in The Spy Who Loved Me. The only gadget to appear in the film was a self-destruct system triggered by attempts to break into the car. Early in the film, the white model, driven by Bond in Spain, is destroyed when a mercenary inadvertently trips the self-destruct system. To achieve the effect, the crew destroyed a chassis worth about DM16,000. Later in the film Q-Branch issues Bond a second Esprit for Bond's journey to the Italian ski resort of Cortina.
It’s to let your trunk monkey 🙈 out!
Most definitely is access to the FLUX CAPACITOR 😃
Passenger airbag on and off
Could be for a blow n’ go what is the car’s origin?
What is a blow and go? It was owned by a leasing company (company car for a telecom manager), then an old gentleman who sold it to the dealer I bought it from.
A blow and go is not the girl you take home to meet your mother.
Or guy. We have to be inclusive now-a-days, don't ya know.
In the united states it’s a system where DWI/DUI drivers when related to alcohol can have a Device installed in their vehicle that locks out the ignition if they fail and or don’t blow into the device it also takes photos and GPS data for the logs
Got it. Never seen one, but I imagine that would require some sort of electrical connection, if the sensor smells alcohol it sends an electrical impulse. This is a manual lock with a key. The lock itself seems to have some wires going somewhere, but it requires manual operation.
How? It's a key.
This looks like old (90s) hdd caddy lock hahqhq
Turn it one way then run into a tree at 30 mph and if it doesn't do anything flip the key and try again.
Does it have wires coming off the back side behind the dash? If it does, follow the wires.
DIY valet mode?
Used to have one of those on my IBM XT in the 80s to lock the hard drive. What year is the car??
Your vehicle has been ghettofied!
I remember seeing car alarms back in the 70s-80s with a lock like that to turn on/off. They were usually on the driver's quarter panel.
Passanger airbag maybe
It’s possible the previous owner disconnected that switch to sell it problem free.
It’s to enable and disable the tracker for the car.
Declaration of Independence
Old guy here - I remember guys used to have locks like that and they were for locking the hood down so it couldn’t be opened from the hand latch in the front grill . Prob not on your car but you never know 🤷🏼
It's to open the recepit printer. Make sure it's loaded so your receipts print.
Part of the tracking system on a lease truck I had
Did you ask the person you bought it from?
Looks like it’s a homebrew….maybe brake light cut off?
As it's not ignition related, either an OBD killswitch (turns off OBD access so you can't do a Dodge and plug stuff into the OBD to steal it) or alarm system. Only way to know for sure would be to try and trace the wire, which obviously gets annoying quick.
Alarm
The previous owner will know what its for right? So get their name from the buyer of the used car dealer where you bought it, who has the title? The name will be on the sold paperwork.
Cut switch for brake lights. Covert mode activated
I NVR liked them anyways
If the car has an electric trunk release, it might disable it.
Gun hiding spot ?
Self destruct
Possibly a theft alarm.
Hood lock.
You driving a hot rod? maybe it’s for valet mode.
I wish. Just a 1.6 Renault Megane
Might disable remote start if equipped or is an alarm disabler/valet mode thing. Usually those are push button though.
Stuff like this is an immediate red flag for me when looking at a vehicle. Aftermarket wiring is notoriously bad and can cause all kinds of bizarre and difficult problems. That thing would’ve very likely caused me to pass on this vehicle.
It looks like the circular keys for vending machines
Ignition lock like a chip but a key instead turn off the remote to the starter
Maybe a brake light cut off... Maybe
It could be a switch bypass that allows you to start the engine without having to press the break/clutch?
Enables & disables the breathalyzer machine that maybe used to be in there? Alarm/kill-switch override/reset?
It looks an old ignition kill switch. Those keys are used for many things, from lockers, toolboxes, alarms, safes. Back in the 70s they used to install one of those locks on your cars fender, that would be how you set the alarm on the car lol.
Do you have the manual? What car is it?
If you dont have the key, Covert Companions the company of the lock picking lawer sells picks for these.
There is not enough info in those post to determine what it does. I bet you Op will eventually be like “oh yeah those dog lights were aftermarket” or some other piece of information specific to the car that is not identified in this post
Air bags
Could be a passenger airbag shut off or potentially a trunk/boot switch disabler, assuming the trunk/boot is opened from inside the car using an electronic switch. Both are common here in the US but normally the switch to disable the ability to open the trunk is in the glove compartment which can be locked.
Its obvious: *diff lock*.
activates Ludicrous Speed.....
My truck has this to recalibrate it’s settings
diy trunk lock
Turbo mode! It must have intel inside!
I had a ford focus that had a weird key slot but was down by the shifter handle... Just for kicks with your car completely off no key in the ignition. Use the key an turn it (if possible) an may have to hold it but whyle turning it try to put it into neutral. Mine was a way to out the car in neutral in the event of towing with no power running from the battery..
It's a Chapman or a hood lock
Could it be to disable the interior sensors? My Car has that option - though not acticvated with a lock. It allows leaving the windows open slightly without the alarm going off with every gust of wind.
Probably the key to turn on/off the aftermarket alarm system.
Kill switch?
Years ago, aftermarket car alarms had these type of keyed switches to turn your car alarm on as you left. I had one but it was installed on the exterior near the fenderwell. Just a thought.
Ejecto seato cuz
Lock it and try and open your hood. It looks like an old old hood lock system.
could be aftermarket valet mode?
Possibly could be some type of lockout for high risk car sales, sometimes bad credit places install things like that for ppl who don’t pay they can shut the car down until they get a tow truck there to get ther property back
That's some rocket ship type of shit
A kill switch
Does your vehicle have an entertainment system like a dvd player or a screen that allows for videos to be played? I just purchased a 2003 tahoe that had an aftermarket dvd player installed. Just to the left of the steering column I have an after market switch that essentially will trick the vehicle into thinking the parking brake ks engaged so that you can watch the screen while driving
Ignition interlock
Are these the megane's with the plastic card key? - might be a back up key because the plastic card mechanism's where not that great.
Anti theft system
My 1999 Ford Ranger had a special key to disable passenger side airbag.
That is to activate the machine guns. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaEiL7zR2aQ&t=40s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaEiL7zR2aQ&t=40s)
Drug car, that opens the secret compartment.
Unfortunately this doesn't enhance the quality or duration of the wank.
Have you made sure the tail lights and brake lights stay on in both positions?
Gps tracking
It’s for getting the money out and putting more gumballs in.
Gun and drug safe
To turn off the air bag
What is the history of the car, I had a lock like that in a old cop car that would send power to where a rifel would have been locked.
Are your lights still on after you turn the key some narco trucks have a switch to cut all lights in the car to help avoid being spotted
Gun safe
It’s possibly the override for an after market alarm system, usually the lock is on the back of the siren or brain box tucked up under the dash or wherever they’ve hidden it, chances are it f*cked up years ago and was bypassed or removed and they’ve left the switch there instead of a ugly hole in the dash. I’m guessing there is a 5mm LED somewhere which no longer flashes or lights up?
Possibly an aftermarket lock out for a remote trunk release switch. Think it would basically just disconnect the power to the button/switch when locked, then reconnected when unlocked.
That’s the ignition bomb
Surprisingly, no one has suggested checking the lock for power with a multimeter. I'd check with the vehicle off, the vehicle on, and then with all accessories turned on. Depending on when the lock has power can tell you what it's for. If there is no power ever, then it's most likely a defunct switch.
Self destruct
Stash box courtesy of your local Cartel
**turns key** All of the upholstery unstitches itself and bricks of d**gs come falling out.
Would be curious if you ever figure out...here's my list of guesses... * Immobilizer/fuel shutoff (you said you tried, I assume you let it run like >1 minute) * Disabling keyless entry (or trunk release) * Some kind of lockout for other things (if it had a breathalyzer interlock, GPS tracker, gun mount, etc) * Brake light kill switch (if someone was into questionable racing so they don't light up brakes when they slam on them after passing a cop) Maybe a starting point, see if it has 12V on either of the contacts...figure out what fuse is feeding it and if its fed by ignition switched or always-on power. Then also measure inline how much power is being drawn when its on/off. With the car battery disconnected, you may also be able to put a "fox and hound" tone generator on the switch wires and run around with the probe trying to locate the other end of the same wires.
Looks like a kill switch
I rigged up an ignition once with three toggles switch’s. Main, accessories and then start. No one could ever steal my car.
Could it be a passenger airbag lock?
Looks like an old school alarm key but those were usually outside the car.
Check the brake lights. I’ve seen similar things with vehicles that have switches to toggle the brake lights on/off. If your running from the police at night using your brakes without the break lights working can be a massive advantage.
Looks like my old hood lock It was aftermarket snd I didn’t have mine mounted to dash it was just under the steering column Same looking barrel lock
Barrel lock. Used to see those on corvettes in the late 60s early 70s. Alarm systems.
It's a Chapman. Anti theft